Table with integrated computer

ABSTRACT

A computerized table has a substantially box-shaped work surface including a lower base, an upper sheet and peripheral lateral walls, orthogonal to the base, which close the aforementioned box towards the external environment, and it is supported by at least one pair of legs. The work surface of the aforementioned table includes at least one monitor arranged in the box with the screen facing towards the sheet and it is visible in that the sheet has a corresponding window protected by transparent material. The base of the work surface is provided with through holes for connection with the external environment, through which the conductors pass which supply the services provided to and by the monitor. One of the support legs of the table is provided with a tubular longitudinal cavity, open on the opposite ends for the passage of the conductors for supplying the monitor.

The invention regards the office furniture industry and more precisely tables. Herein and in the present description, the term table includes any furniture of this type, i.e. tables, desks, benches and the like. Today, it is no longer imaginable to have a work station without a table with a monitor connected with a computer and with a series of auxiliary devices for interaction with the aforementioned monitor. Whether it is an architect, engineer, lawyer, doctor, accountant, just to mention a few professionals, the computer and the relative computer systems, have become indispensible means for handling and solving daily work tasks. However, alongside the use, it has been observed that the presence of these instruments on the table is often source of very serious problems. As a matter of fact, their presence reduces the space available on the table, the space required for placing papers and files to be used immediately when processing a problem being addressed at that time. A different issue arises when the person working is talking face to face to another person and both need to use diagrams and data shown on the monitor: Thus, one is forced to continuously rotate the monitor in both directions so as to allow the other person to see the aforementioned data, comment and possibly interact with the monitor, when the latter has a touch-screen.

Lastly, in any situation there is always the problem related to the entirety of wires and connectors present not only on the surface of the table but also on the floor, for connecting the instruments placed on the table, and possibly under the table, with a power supply tower, arranged on the floor to supply at least the electrical power to the various devices.

Thus said, the Applicant conceived an invention capable of overcoming the described drawbacks facilitating the work of the person utilising the computer and which, during the work thereof, has to talk with other people at the work station thereof.

Thus, an object of the invention is a computerised table, capable of clearing from the surface of the table most of the instruments used during the work and most of the cables and connections connecting said instruments to each other and to the external networks.

Thus, in a more general aspect thereof, the invention regards a table provided with a substantially box-shaped work surface, comprising a lower base, an upper sheet and peripheral lateral walls, orthogonal to said base, which close said box towards the external environment, supported in orthogonal direction with respect to said sheet by at least two legs, characterised in that said work surface comprises at least one monitor arranged in said box with the screen facing towards said sheet and made visible by a corresponding window obtained in said sheet, the base of said surface being provided with at least one first through hole for connection with the external environment, and in that at least one of said support legs is provided with a tubular longitudinal cavity, open on the opposite ends, for the passage of first conductors which supply services provided to and from said monitor.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of said table according to the present invention and, in particular, with reference to the solution which provides for the use of a technological leg.

This description shall be described hereinafter with reference to a specific embodiment of said table, regarding which the attached drawings are provided only by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the table according to the invention, in front view, in a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates the table of FIG. 1, in top front perspective view, in a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates, in a partial straight section, a corner of the table of FIG. 1, supported by a leg according to the invention

FIG. 4 illustrates a work station furnished with the table of FIG. 1, in a top front schematic perspective view, in a first embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates the work station of FIG. 4 in front view, in a first embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates the table according to the invention in a preferred embodiment comprising a work surface 1 resting on four legs 2, from whose one foot (21) there projects an electrical cable 3 connected to a power supply tower 4, as better observable hereinafter. Actually, the table may also be variously shaped, for example round-shaped supported by just three legs, or have one side of the work surface fixed against the wall, for example in extremely narrow rooms, while the opposite side rests on just two legs. The shape of the table and number of legs do not limit the invention in any manner whatsoever, for example considering the table present in a board room, long enough to require a higher number of legs.

Alongside the leg connected to the tower, the table is distinguished by a normal table due to the considerable thickness S of its work surface and the presence, on at least one front surface of said surface, of at least one connector 5.

FIG. 3 illustrates, more in detail, this table which we will call a computerised table. The aforementioned table is substantially box-shaped comprising a lower base 11, an upper sheet 13, preferably parallel to said base, and at least one peripheral lateral wall 12, orthogonal to said base, closing said box towards the external environment. As mentioned, there shall be just one lateral wall, preferably cylindrical, in case of the round table, but, usually, there shall be four lateral walls. The sheet 13 may also be made of any suitable material, for example wood, metal, synthetic material, but should such material not be transparent like glass, it should have at least one window 14 capable of allowing viewing the internal of the box 1. The work surface comprises at least one monitor 15 arranged in said box with the screen 16 facing towards said sheet and made visible through the aforementioned window 14.

Preferably, the sheet closing such window is of the type capable of allowing performing activities using a touch-screen. Touch-screens i.e. monitor screens (hence any output device showing information visible to the naked eye) sensitive to touch (i.e. to touch by an uncovered part of the human body, generally fingertips, or other equivalent systems) which send to the computer connected with the monitor particular operation directions through this touch, have been known over the years.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this result is obtained through a flexible touchfoil, i.e. a transparent sheet made of flexible plastic material, inserted between the monitor and the protection sheet. This technology allows using the sheet for protecting glass or other transparent material, easy to wash and remove, thus allowing easy maintenance of the table of the invention.

In addition, the base 11 of said surface is provided with at least one first through hole 17 for connection with the external environment and at least one second through hole 18 for the passage of first conductors 40 which supply services provided to and from said monitor. Lastly, on at least one side of said box, there is at least one through hole 19 closed by a connector 5 connected through wires 41 with the aforementioned monitor. Such monitor may be an actual monitor, i.e. a support for a screen, or just a screen (for example an iPad) or even computer connected with a screen. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the computer is separated from the screen, connected with the same and arranged in the box in a position separated from said screen.

Even more preferably said computer is a micro computer.

At least one of the support legs, which we shall call a technological leg 31, is provided with a tubular longitudinal cavity 32, open on the opposite ends for connection with the work surface. More precisely such leg is constituted by a tubular element made of any suitable material, fixed—at the lower part—to the base of said table through a threaded bar 33 arranged with an end inserted into the hole 17 of the box, projecting therein and locked therein with a bolt 34 fastened on the threading, and with the opposite end inserted into a rigid septum 35 integral with the lower end of the leg, outside with respect thereto, and locked therein with a bolt 36 fastened on the thread.

Preferably, the technological leg 31 is slightly frustoconical shaped so that the locking between the septum 35 and the internal wall of the leg is easily obtained by interference by fastening the bolt 36 on the end of the bar 33.

Preferably, at least the leg 31 is stably fixed to the floor with one of the many systems that can be used for the purpose, for example using an L-shaped square 37 simultaneously fixed to the leg and the floor.

Lastly, the leg 31 is provided, on the lateral surface thereof, with at least one through hole 38 for the passage of said conductors 40. Preferably, the traversing of the holes 18 and 38 by the conductors 40 is not free but performed through caps or connectors 39 sealing said holes. Such conductors allow the connection of the computer/s and screens arranged in the box with at least one external network, for electrical power supply, and with an external network for transmitting data, provided on the tower 4, usually fixed to the floor. On the other hand, the conductors 41, through the connectors 5, allow the connection of the computer/s and screens arranged in the box with auxiliary devices such as a keyboard, mouse and a printer present on the work surface or even separated by said surface. Preferably said connectors 5 comprise the so-called USB ports, well known in computer technology.

FIG. 2 illustrates the work surface of the computer table provided with a pair of windows according to the invention, through which one can view the information displayed on the screens contained in the box. The number of windows and their position on the table do not limit the invention in any manner whatsoever. The invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and attains various advantages. In case of someone working alone, the table offers more space for placing the documents meant to be within reach. The arrangement of the screen in the box allows keeping—on the work surface—just the keyboard and/or mouse, which do not occupy much space and, if of the wireless type hence easily moveable in any position without creating hindrances.

In addition, if the person is talking with another person (collaborator, colleague, client, supplier, visitor) in the work station thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 4, he/she will be seated on one side of the table in front of a monitor 51, not necessarily but preferably arranged in the box, a keyboard 52 and a mouse 53 at his/her disposal, while the counterpart will be seated on the opposite side of the table facing a screen arranged in the box. The two screens are connected, so that both parties see the same information in real time and the counterpart may interact with the aforementioned information by simply touching the transparent surface at the screen. The advantages are evident: the surface of the table is cleared of tools and available, no need to continuously rotate the screen, thus easily follow the progress of the meeting without losing concentration.

Further advantages are offered by the presence of the technological leg: no need of cables scattered on the floor, nor presence of technological boxes under the table: as regards the layout of the room and the position of the power supply towers, it is possible choosing—when purchasing or ordering the table—the right technological leg from among the table legs so as to minimise the distance between the leg and the tower. Fixing the technological leg to the floor allows guaranteeing protection against inadvertent impacts that may displace the table, thus interrupting power supply or the connection with the data network.

This description does not illustrate all possible structural and dimensional alternatives to the specifically described embodiments of the invention: as a matter of fact, it was not deemed necessary to get deeper into construction details of the system of the invention in that after the instructions provided herein, those skilled in the art will easily be in a position to design, suitably choosing the material and dimensions, the most advantageous technical solution.

However, these variants shall be equally comprised in the scope of protection of the present patent, given that these alternative embodiments can be per se obviously obtained from the description provided herein as regards the relationship binding each embodiment with the result meant to be attained through the invention. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. Computerised table, provided with a substantially box-shaped work surface comprising a lower base (11), an upper sheet (13) and at least three peripheral lateral walls (12), orthogonal to said base, which close said box towards the external environment, supported in direction orthogonal to said sheet by at least two legs (31), said work surface comprising at least one monitor (16) arranged in said box with the screen facing towards said sheet and made visible by a corresponding window (14) obtained in said sheet, the base of said surface being provided with at least a pair of through holes (17, 18) for connection with the external environment, at least one of said support legs being provided with a tubular longitudinal cavity (32) open at the opposite ends for the passage of first conductors which supply services provided to and from said monitor, said computerised table being wherein said leg provided with a tubular longitudinal cavity comprises: a rigid septum (35) placed in the lower end of said cavity in said leg and integral with the latter; a bar (33), threaded at both its ends, arranged with an end inserted into one (17) of said holes of the box, projecting therein and locked therein with a bolt (34) fastened on the threading, and with the opposite end inserted into said rigid septum (35), outside with respect thereto, and locked therein with a bolt (36) fastened on the corresponding thread.
 12. Table according to claim 11 wherein at least one of said lateral walls is provided with second through holes for the passage of second conductors which supply services provided to and from said monitor.
 13. Table according to claim 11 wherein said leg is stably fixed to the floor.
 14. Table according to claim 11 wherein said longitudinal cavity (32) of said leg (31) is frustoconical shaped.
 15. Table according to claim 11 wherein said leg is provided on the lateral surface thereof with at least one through hole for the traversing of said conductors.
 16. Table according to claim 11 wherein it comprises a micro-computer arranged within said surface and connected with said monitor.
 17. Table according to claim 11 wherein said first conductors allow the connection with at least one external network for electrical power supply and with an external network for transmitting data.
 18. Table according to claim 11 wherein said second conductors allow the connection with auxiliary devices for said monitor.
 19. Table according to claim 18 wherein said connection is actuated through USB ports.
 20. Table according to claim 18 wherein said auxiliary devices comprise at least one keyboard, one mouse, one printer. 